Factors contributing to positive mood during the menopausal transition

This study determined which variables affect women's positive mood state du ring the menopausal transition using nine prospective annual assessments of a population based sample of 267 Australian mid-aged women. Longitudinal d ata analysis carried out by analysis of covariance on Summary Statistics fo und that positive mood scores remained stable over time and were not relate d to natural menopausal transition, age, or education. In the early phase o f the menopausal transition, positive mood was adversely influenced by base line interpersonal stress (p = .009) and negative attitudes to aging (p = . 026). The most important predictor of positive mood at the phase of late pe ri-/ postmenopause was positive mood in the premenopause (p = .000). Other factors affecting positive mood in the late peri-/postmenopause were change s in dysphoric symptoms (p = .000), major life events (p = .041), daily has sles (p = .014), marital status (p = .007), and work satisfaction (p = .001 ). Structural equation modelling found a goodness of fit index of .821.